Helping Haitian Angels is a different kind of Haitian charity.
Most remember giving to Haiti approximately two years ago after the earthquake. No one knew exactly where the money would go, and as the world listened in sadness to accounts of diseases spreading through tent cities, Americans did want they could via writing a check or sending supplies.
But for Debbie Harvey of Haymarket, the Haitians were not just some people living in a third world country, they had become her extended family.
Harvey had no interest in missionary work, until she accompanied her husband, Bill Harvey, on a trip to Haiti in 2008 to help build infrastructure in needy neighborhoods. Witnessing the abject poverty of grade school children who had bruises on their bare feet and stomachs disfigured by starvation, she could not shake the feeling, she needed to contribute.
So Harvey gathered friends and family for a party, and together they raised $15,000. With that accomplished, she did not just send the money via an established charity, she started her own.
Today Debbie Harvey describes herself as a mother of three and 42. The 42 are her Haitian orphans for whom she has provided a place to call home, “mommas” to tend to them, a quality private education (because the paid public education in Haiti is of such poor quality), clothing and educationally developmental games.
She admits having made some of the usual mistakes at the beginning, providing charity, rather than teaching self-sufficiency. But through a process she calls “failing forward,” Harvey and Helping Haitian Angels now interacts with Haitians, not as American charity workers, but as a member of the community.
For instance Harvey can proudly call herself a job-creator, despite the fact that she herself does not take a salary from her nonprofit organization.
“When you hire one Haitian, it’s like hiring ten," Harvey said, explaining that it raises up the entire family, allowing for
children get an education, and in turn raises up the community.
Harvey finds the ripple effect promising and is looking for ways to extend it, such as having her children provide vitamins for other children in the area.
As for the progression of her organization, they are purchasing 26 acres of greenery as a new campus for her dormitories.
Meanwhile, beyond providing food and shelter, Harvey's organization paves the way for the children of Kay Anj (Angel House) to have a future.
But Harvey does not set out to provide the same opportunities for Americans, she refuses to conduct them as tourist trips for Americans who simple want to “getting their hands dirty," as Harvey calls it.
"If you want to change your kids, I'm not the right organization (for you)," said Harvey, "Because we do it right. It's not about us, it's about our Haitian family."
And Harvey treats her Haitian family just like her American family.
"The key is letting them know they matter. Sitting with them, singing and dancing with them. When they know that they really matter, then they can and they will want to do better, and be better and make a difference in their country," Harvey said.
It’s powerful message and proof that one person's conviction can make a difference in the lives of others.
Helping Haitian Angels is a national charity that relies heavily on its sponsors from all over the nation. However, Harvey has also inspired her Prince William community, who have provided her with essentials like children’s vitamins, tennis shoes, jersey sheets and canvass.
She is hoping to get more donations soon.
She also requests sewing or knitting kits to occupy a the few unfortunate children, who were paralyzed in the earthquake, and professional quality art supplies, such as canvass and oil paints for her teenagers trying to earn a living as artists and craft people.
While Debbie Harvey never imaged her life having evolved in this way, she always wants to go back to Haiti - she went 15
times in 2011 alone - because she is happiest there.
The children are happy too. Happy in a way she believes people who have so much cannot understand.
"The biggest thing about us, is that we’re differnet from most NGO, we love our kids. We don’t build things, we build relationship, and we believe the only way to change this beautiful county is to invest in the next generation," Harvey said.
Harvey will be accepting donations and supplies for Helping Haitian Angels. She can send a truck out to locations in Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket and Manassas. Contact Helping Haitian Angels or email Debbie@hhangels.org.
Watch a YouTube video on Helping Haitian Angels.
Photos taken with permission from the Helping Haitian Angels website.
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